Diary of a first time SLAMmer

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B

BennyAdeline

Member
Jun 27, 2023
19
Los Angeles, CA
Pool Size
4000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Howdy all,

I have a 4k gallon above ground vinyl pool with an intex sand filter. This is the start of our second year with it.

Chemical balancing was iffy the first summer and as of last week it was green as can be.

I fought off the green and am at a milky blue now. I got there using shock and clarifier. Progress has stalled.



I decided to research and ran into TFP. I realized I've been given bad advice and ripped off by the pool stores.

I'm clearing my cache of pool "knowledge" I thought I had and deferring to the collective experience of this forum.
It's time to SLAM!!

Yesterday I deep cleaned my filter. This AM i filled it to the max in antcipation of losing water to frequent backwashing. I'm going to buy a k2006 after I drop the kids off at school in an hour, along with liquid conditioner and liquid chlorine.

First step is getting an accurate PH and CYA level (It's gonna be real low I think). Then I will use Pool Math and post the numbers I think I should execute...then I will wait until you guys say go. While I wait I will brush, vac, and skim.

After that it's chlorine time. I'll do the math again and post the amount/steps I should take for approval.

I don't want to make any moves until I've been given feedback...I'm new and not pool smart. I'll happily defer and learn until one day I have the real knowledge that I can pay forward

Thanks in advance!
 
Sounds like you're on the path to recovery. :goodjob: Once you get the test kit, feel free to post those results, or just link your Poolmath APP to TFP so we can see your test logs. The SLAM Process works when owners follow that page carefully. If you have any questions let us know.

Also see ----------> Pool Care Basics
 
Texas Splash said:
Sounds like you're on the path to recovery. :goodjob: Once you get the test kit, feel free to post those results, or just link your Poolmath APP to TFP so we can see your test logs. The SLAM Process works when owners follow that page carefully. If you have any questions let us know.

Also see ----------> Pool Care Basics
Click to expand...
Will do and thank you!
 
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ok so first tests done

CYA is a "dunno" I could still see the dot with it filled all the way up




PH appeared to be 7.4.
Is that good enough to go ahead or should I use the chlorox PH down I have on hand?



FC: I dont think I have any. One drop made the pink go away. 10ml = .5ppm test

CC: 1 (2 drops made it go away) 10ml = .5ppm test

Feedback very welcome
 
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If your CYA level is 90 or higher, repeat the test adjusting the procedure as follows:
Fill the mixing bottle to the lower mark with pool water.
Continue filling the mixing bottle to the upper mark with tap water.
Shake briefly to mix.
Pour off half of the contents of the mixing bottle, so it is again filled to the lower mark.
Continue the test normally from step 2, but multiply the final result by two.

If your CYA is off the charts, which sounds like it, 50% turn over of water is your solution to get it under control.
 
koffey said:
If your CYA level is 90 or higher, repeat the test adjusting the procedure as follows:
Fill the mixing bottle to the lower mark with pool water.
Continue filling the mixing bottle to the upper mark with tap water.
Shake briefly to mix.
Pour off half of the contents of the mixing bottle, so it is again filled to the lower mark.
Continue the test normally from step 2, but multiply the final result by two.

If your CYA is off the charts, which sounds like it, 50% turn over of what is your solution.
Click to expand...

Thank you

I could still see the dot after filling the small tube all the way...That would indicate I'm way lower than 90 right?
 
BennyAdeline said:
CYA is a "dunno" I could still se the dot with it filled all the way up
Click to expand...
We might be able to call that a close "30". If additional testing indicates the dot presenting itself more clearly, consider adding another 10 ppm worth of stabilizer via the sock method.

BennyAdeline said:
PH appeared to be 7.4.
Click to expand...
I would leave it for now.

BennyAdeline said:
FC: I dont think I have any. One drop made the pink go away. 10ml = .5ppm test
Click to expand...
Time to get the liquid chlorine. Increase (and maintain) the FC of "12" until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria.
 
Texas Splash said:
We might be able to call that a close "30". If additional testing indicates the dot presenting itself more clearly, consider adding another 10 ppm worth of stabilizer via the sock method.


I would leave it for now.


Time to get the liquid chlorine. Increase (and maintain) the FC of "12" until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria.
Click to expand...
Amazing, Thank you

I have liquid conditioner and liquid chlorine

I'll do the CYA test again right now and post results.
 
CYA test #2. This is the small tube filled all the way

EDIT: test #3 the same. very visible dot with tube fully filled



So the 7.4 PH we can live with

Am i correct my next steps are get the CYA around 30 and then start the move to FC of 12?
 
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BennyAdeline said:
CYA test #2. This is the small tube filled all the way

EDIT: test #3 the same. very visible dot with tube fully filled



So the 7.4 PH we can live with

Am i correct my next steps are get the CYA around 30 and then start the move to FC of 12?
Click to expand...
From the Test Directions in Pool School.

Stand outdoors with your back to the sun and hold the view tube at about waist level. If sunlight is not available, find the brightest artificial light you can.
 
mknauss said:
From the Test Directions in Pool School.

Stand outdoors with your back to the sun and hold the view tube at about waist level. If sunlight is not available, find the brightest artificial light you can.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I ran into that info and did test #4 like that. Still can see the dot with it all the way through

Call it 10 and adjust from there? I really want to start getting chlorine in this pool


 
UPDATE:

multiple cya tests yesterday confirmed the very visible dot filled to 30

at 2pm yesterday I added 21ozt liquid conditioner to add 15ppm (I meant to shoot for 10 but messed up the math)

Then going off of 15ppm CYA, I aimed to get to SLAM level 12 with LC with the plan to get CYA to around 30 after next CYA test

6/28

2:30 PM
FC 0
added 61oz 10% LC

3:30 PM
FC 10.5
added 10oz 10% LC

5:30 PM
FC 9
added 15oz 10% LC

7:40
FC 11
added 5oz 10% LC

9:30 PM
FC 11.5
added 5oz 10% LC

6/29 (TODAY)

6AM
FC 9
added 15oz 10% LC
I could see deepest into the pool since it was green

8AM
FC 14
Added no LC
Backwashed filter, vacuumed, brushed. Pool clouded back up

10AM

CYA test still clear filled to 30 line...I must have truly been at zero
FC 11
added 5oz 10% LC


any feedback is welcome. Thank you
 
Liquid conditioner is tough to use unless you need the entire bottle. A lot settles on the bottom of the bottle, so you may not be putting in what you think you are.
 
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